Posts

A Visit to Billy Sunday’s House

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While vacationing in Indiana last week, I visited the home of Billy Sunday (1862-1935) in Winona Lake. At his wife Nell’s request, it has been kept just the way it was when they lived there. … read more

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Music and Evangelism

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I recently completed a chapter entitled “Christ in the Hymns” for my upcoming book, Magnificent Jesus. I was deeply touched with how the Holy Spirit has impressed different songwriters, through the centuries, with profound revelation regarding the majesty and grandeur of Jesus.
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Invitations/Altar Calls

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I would like to know what other pastors do relative to inviting people to accept Jesus, etc., at the conclusion of their church services. What content is important to communicate? What tips and suggestions can pastors offer that will help me be more effective? What “mechanics” do pastors utilize in terms of guiding people through their response to invitation (praying in their seats, coming forward, etc.)? What can be done to promote follow-up discipleship and assimilation into the church? … read more

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Two Altar Call Extremes by Mark Boer

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Doing the work of an evangelist, though not being one, has long been important to me as a pastor. I want to see people saved. I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to win them to Christ if they come to our Sunday services – thus the altar call. I am a believer in giving this type of invitation every Sunday and have seen first-hand the fruit that comes from giving an effective one. Because of this, I have given much thought to both what is said and how it is said. … read more

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Laborers Together

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If we are not careful, we will fail to realize how much our own labors (and whatever results might occur) are actually undergirded and enhanced by the labors of others who have gone before us. I don’t want to be that person “who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.” We have all benefitted from and built upon the labors of others. I remember one time preaching in a service and giving an altar call. A handful of people responded and I had the privilege of praying with them as they placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. … read more

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This Generation! Every Nation? by Matt Beemer

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Is it possible that our generation will finally be the generation that brings completion to the Great Commission? If we commit to key strategic choices, we can, and we will! “We can if we want to!” That was the conclusion five William College students came too as they sheltered under the cover of a haystack in the middle a Western Massachusetts farm. It was the summer of 1806 and as they were praying, they were caught in a sudden downpour. … read more

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Let’s Go Fishing by Marcus Whitman

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Jesus made an amazing statement in Matthew 4:19 when speaking to a couple of fishermen. He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Notice He didn’t say, “I will make you holier, more spiritual, or bless you exceedingly.” He gave them a purpose for living and a new occupation. Many times as believers, we talk about the blessings of God. Don’t take me wrong; the blessings are important. However, it is more important to be “used by God than to be blessed by God.” … read more

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Why I Welcome Funeral Opportunities for the Unchurched by David Osborne

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Some time ago, I was getting out my car to walk into the funeral home for a person I had never met. In that moment I thought, “Am I really going to make a difference today?” I was tired and overwhelmed with many other ministry tasks yet to perform that week. In the middle of the groan that came from my soul came the familiar voice of our Savior by His Spirit saying, “Your ‘showing up’ changes everything for them.” I knew in an instant that regardless of how well I conducted the service, which is a pressure I always feel, I had already provided the family with something they desperately needed: someone to minister to their pain. … read more

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Preaching For Souls! by Marvin Yoder

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And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV). In a time when the world is growing worse in terms of evil, corruption, violence, and anti-Christian activity, there is a great need to stir the hearts of people with the message of the Gospel! … read more

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Kathryn Kuhlman’s Greatest Battle

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February 20, 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of the world-renowned Christian evangelist, Kathryn Kuhlman. Kathryn passed away on February 20, 1976 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, leaving behind both a church and world impacted by her massive ministry. …read more

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The Parable of the Push-Ups and the Donuts

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There was a boy by the name of Steve who was attending school in a western state. Mr. Christianson taught at this particular school. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules. Steve had been kicked out of his sixth period and no other teacher wanted him, so he went into Mr. Christianson’s class. … read more

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Planning Effective Missionary Crusades and Events Ron Martin

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Several years ago an evangelist asked me: “Ron, how do I get 50,000 to 100,0000 people to attend our crusades?” His crusades were already quite successful, but he was interested in seeing the attendance increase in his international meetings in order to win a greater number of people to Jesus. Whether it’s in Latin America, Africa, or Asia we’ve found that people experience similar challenges, needs, desires and goals. Religious beliefs or cultures may differ from place to place, but as a whole, people worldwide are on a life-long quest for answers regarding their eternity. … read more

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10 Reasons Every Believer Needs the Local Church by John R. Carter

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A purpose is a reason for being. Everything God does has a purpose. Everything God has made has a reason for existing. There are specific purposes Jesus intended for His church to accomplish. Knowing those purposes is important for every believer. The law of purpose states that unless you know the purpose of a thing, you will be likely to either neglect, misuse, or abuse it. The reason some Christians neglect the local church is because they really don’t understand its purpose in their lives. … read more

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Making Church members to think more outside-minded

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I’m looking for ways to get my people more “outside minded.” What are other pastors doing that inspire outreach and evangelism among their members? What programs are effective?

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Equipping and Mobilizing for Evangelism

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It seems that the members of my church are way more inward-focused than outward-focused. Everyone enjoys good teaching and fellowship, but it’s rare that my members invite the unsaved to church or express any kind of deep concern for the lost. To be honest, I’m more teaching-oriented than evangelistic myself. What can I do to improve myself in these areas, and what can I do to help mobilize and equip my church members to become more evangelistically-minded? Are there any books, videos, or other resources that we can use for study guides? Help

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